Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-09-30

Frcedom--A Country of Gymnas;s and
Marksmen.
If one asks any we'll informed Switzer
what show of arms his fatherland is pre-
pared To make in case of general Euro
pean war; the answer invariably is: 1--WE
can put well equipped army Of 100000
men on the frontiers in ten days This
means that about 7per cent. Of the popu-
lation Of this little republic of 3,0OO,00
people are prepared al IN hours notice To
spring 10 arms in its defense, and see no
reason to question the assertion. During
the last twelve months since the war
clouds have been settling down lower and
lower over central Europe, the Swiss gov
ernment has been keenly alert TO the
progress of events, accurately informed in
regard to diplomatic negotiations, and
tirelessly active, even 10 the most minute
details, in preparations for the mainte-
nance of its traditional neutrality, in case
of the hossilities which at times seemed
about to break upon Europe at moments
notice.
Under the Federal constitution every
able bodied Swiss citizen is liable 20 mill
tary duty from his Goth to his 44th
year, his first twelve years in the
regular army, the last twelve in the re-
serve or Landwehr. There is also n third
corps, known as the Landsturm, or, as
we might call il, n home guard, only Ii
able in case Of great emergency. and COM
posed of youths between II and 20,
and men between Il and 80 years
of age. Each canton furnishes n quo
tum of troops, based upon its popu-
lation, the aggregate regular force
amounting TO ninety-siX battalions Of in
fantry Of IA men each, eight battalions
Of sharpShooters Of 40 men each, twenty
four squadrOns of dragons of l2i men
each, forty-eight field batteries, each num-
bering 100 men. with six steel riflcd cam
non Of eighty-four millimeters calibcr,
two mountain batteries and ten companies
of heavy artillerists.
TRAINING OF THE SOLDIER.
The entire system is in many respects
similar to our American militia or EN-
tional guard organizations, with, how
ever, this difference, that here every able
bodied citizen is enrolled and becomes
liable on reaching his Goth year. lie re-
ceives, free OF charge, his weapon, equip
ment and uniform, which remain in his
personal possession during his whole term
of service, being taken with him to his
The training Of the Swiss soldier begins
with his early boyhood. At 10 years Of
age, he commences gymnastic exercises
at the public school, attendance being
obligatory; at II, drill with iron rods as n
substitute for guns; and at II, shooting
at mark with q species Of bow gun. are
added. At l6, company drill in the school
Of the soldier is iutrOduccd and between
/ and II, the rifle is put into the youths
hands, and he is thoroughly instructed in
its care and use. All this is part OF his
regular school training and education.
His next instruction is acquired by
means Of membership in some shooting
society, or schutzen verein In these
volunteer associations for improvement in
mayksmanship-an their name is legion
lies, in the Judgment Of many, the best
guarantee Of the efficiency Of Swiss troops,
and consequently the government encOur-
ages them by paying liberal share of the
powder and ball used in their inccssant
practice. In return for this outlay the
government exacts that every citizen liable
for military duty shall fire oil thirty ball
cartridges per year ut target. If he does
not do SO, as member Of a volunteer
schutzcn verein, he must ONTO barracks
and do it, and time so spent is not reck-
oned on his account Of compulsory mill
tary service, i. e.. on his III days service
as an infantryman and So on. For in
stance, during the year 1850 there existed
in this canton Zurich alone no less than
2Sj Of these volunteer associations, with a
membership OF over II, 900 men, who man
aged during the year to shoot of rs many
as $40, 600 bah cartridges the government
contributing the handsome sum OF p, 1SJ
francs toward covering the expenses in 50
doing. And all this in a single canton!
GYAiNAsT AND NiARRsMAN.
And thus the Swiss youth, arrived nj
his Goth year, and already n trained gym
mast and practiced marksman proudly
reports for duty rs defender Of the he
loved Fatherland, and goes into barracks
rs n recruit If in the infantry, he remains
for forty-five days, in the cavalry for sixty
days and in the artillery for flfty-siX days
and then returns to his home taking his
arms, equipment and uniform with him.
The remainder of his barrack service is SO
distributed over his twenty-four years
period Of liability rs 10 be scarcely felt in
his ordinary civil pursuits. In the intent
ry he serves in all for III days, IN the cav
airy 1SS aud in the artillery l46 days-Gur-
ing The entire twcnty-f0ur years
Possibly Swiss troops NAV lact that me
chGirlal precision ol 'ttitl No '.l til'st - Ut J.
ICES the solGicry If taeir more military
neighbors. but their drill U.s., fer all prGctt
cal purposes thorough and good enough,
while, ia ali that pertains % physical en-
durauce, courage end craftsmanship,
they arc probably uusurrasscd by any
troops in Tire world. Another Important
fact to be borne in mind is that every Svis.
soldier Is thoroughly acquainted with hls
weapon. II is no new arm thrust into hi.
hand when hostilitics threaten; it has
been his Communion and his reliance in 9
hundred friendly conteet and hc know.
ana trusts e in the hour If dnGer as hS
does his own RIGHT hani.-New York Nal
and ENpr-s.
Eororto.s "niac,s Its" ~yHcm.